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Sunday, June 28, 2009

Blue Corn Muffins - Blue Monday

From the kitchen of One Perfect Bite...Adventurers climb mountains because they are there, folks who love good food experiment with ingredients for the same reason. My first encounter with blue cornmeal was a dirty looking chip with no cache. It looked terrible but the flavor wasn't bad. While it was grainier than its yellow or white cousins, it was sweet and hearty and had the lingering taste of earth about it. The Native Americans of the Southwest call blue corn Hopi corn and it has spiritual importance to them. It represents the rising sun and the beginning of life, wisdom and understanding. Blue cornmeal comes from the dried blue kernels of corn grown on plateaus and mesas in New Mexico and Arizona. It's not always a true blue and when it's on the cob it has a hue more purple than blue. When ground it appears to be a very pale, almost white, lavender that on close inspection is flecked with grains of blue that are photochromic. The picture to the left has not been doctored in any way. It was taken at noon on a very sunny day and this is what the camera saw. I've been working on Southwestern-style meals for a family gathering planned for later this summer, so it was a natural progression to begin experimenting with blue corn. When I found an old Bobby Flay recipe for blue corn muffins I was hooked and this is what my first foray into the world of blue corn produced. I can't tell you how much I enjoyed these. I will make them any time I can - even for breakfast. They are packed with flavor and have a wonderful moist crumb that's hard to resist. I really hope you'll try these. They are down-home wonderful.Blue Corn Muffins...from the kitchen of One Perfect Bite

Directions:1) Adjust a rack to middle-third of oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Grease a 6 slot muffin pan with non-stick vegetable spray. Set aside.2) Melt butter in a small saucepan; add onions and garlic and cook until soft. Set aside to cool.3) In a large mixing bowl, combine milk, eggs, bell pepper, jalapeno, corn and cilantro. Whisk in butter mixture. Set aside.4)In a separate bowl, combine cornmeal, flour, baking powder, soda, salt and sugar. Whisk to combine. Mix into the liquid mixture.5) Divide batter evenly among the 6 muffins slots and bake for 16 minutes or until set, turning pan once for even baking. Yield: 6 muffins

Susan, we have a small bodega in our area that carries blue corn in the late summer. Very little of it makes it to market because most of it is raised to make masa. The internet is a great source for blue cornmeal but you can buy it in Spanish/Mexican markets, Whole Foods of Market of Choice.

I am going to see if I can find some blue corn meal at Whole Foods because these look amazing. Thanks for adding the interesting blue corn comments as I found the history so interesting. My cooking light club would love these muffins.Joyce

oh what a lovely blog you have!!! i am going to take some time and look at all your yummy yummy images from your past post...these blue cornmeal muffins look amazing!!! Thanks for leaving such nice words on my blog!

Gals, Whole Foods and Market of Choice both carry blue corn in their bulk sections. It can also be ordered on line. As to its taste - a bit like yellow cornmeal but with an earthier flavor. Trust me...I'm not into strange stuff. You will really like this.

I've not seen the blue corn before.We lived on the Navajo reservation in Tuba City, AZ for about a year, a long time ago. The Hopi reservation was just across the highway. Almost everything is spiritual to the Indians, it seems. We really enjoyed our time there..I spent most of my days, driving around looking for rugs, pottery, jewelry..Had such fun.I really want to try these muffins and think I will go right in and make some for our dinner tonight.Thanks for the recipe..Oh and have you ever had Navajo Tacos ? O, Honey !!

I've been enjoying blue corn meal for years now. I think my very favorite recipe is for blue corn waffle chips - spicy chipotle pepper and made in the thinner heart shaped waffle make I have.Love the blue corn muffin look - I think they're beautiful.

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